The Bubby black dog was seriously injured by its owner.
Photo: Supplied / SPCA
A Rotorua man who kicked his dog in the ribcage before helping his head and throwing him on the ground was sentenced to community service.
SPCA said the man was sued after severely mistreating his Bubby black dog during a series of violent explosions in January last year.
He said the man became aggressive as he approached another dog and his owner at Whakarewarewa Forest Park in Rotorua on January 3, 2024.
“He hit Bubby with his open hand, causing the dog to vocalize and harden. He then kicked bubby into the ribcage before continuing to follow him. The violence increased when the aggressor punched his head with a closed fighter twice, and stepped on his right, causing significant pain and injuries.
“In a final act of violence, the attacker lifted Bubby on his shoulder and threw him on the floor.”
Bubby was caught by SPCA inspectors, who found a fractured metacarpal bone on their right anterior limb, a consistent injury with the striking force trauma, specifically of a person stepping on the limb.
“The injury would have caused a considerable pain of Bubby, which was aggravated by the delay in seeking medical attention.”
Its owner was accused of animal abuse under the 1999 animal welfare law and was sentenced to 50 hours of community work and six months supervision.
SPCA executive director Todd Westwood said he could not imagine how he could cause such serious damage to an innocent animal.
“There is no excuse for Bubby’s injuries, and the abuse he has endured is just not well. Animals can’t speak or defend themselves in such a situation, which is why we will continue to seek justice in their name to prevent it in the future.”
The man was also ordered to pay repairs of US $ 2,950.30 and disqualified from having dogs for five years.
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